Adapter system

ABSTRACT

An adapter system to connect a main shaft ( 9 ) of an electric motor to a device to be driven, in particular to a pinion of a gearing, is disclosed. The system comprises an adapter shaft ( 10 ) with a pinion attachment ( 11 ) on a first end, for rotationally stable connection to the pinion. A housing ( 20 ) is provided with devices ( 21, 22 ) to serve as bearings for the adapter shaft ( 10 ) and with a first flange ( 23 ) for attaching the housing to the gearing and with a second flange ( 24 ) for attaching it to the motor, such that the motor is substantially firmly connected to the gearing by way of the housing ( 20 ). A coupling element ( 40 ) can be connected to the motor shaft ( 9 ) in a rotationally stable manner. On the coupling element ( 40 ) there is formed a first driving means ( 41, 41′ ) and on the adapter shaft ( 10 ) is formed a second driving means ( 12, 12′ ), which has a shape corresponding to that of the first driving means ( 41, 41′ ) and engages therewith so as to transmit a torque between the first coupling element ( 40 ) and the adapter shaft ( 10 ). The first driving means ( 41, 41′ ) is so disposed that it can move with respect to the second driving means ( 12, 12′ ) at least in a direction (y) perpendicular to the axis of rotation (x) of the adapter shaft ( 10 ) and at an angle (α) with respect to the axis of rotation (x). With an adapter system constructed in this way, a plurality of different motors can be connected in a simple manner to a plurality of different devices to be driven, in particular gearings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an adapter system to connect the main shaft ofa motor to a device to be driven, in particular to a pinion of agearing.

Because the tasks to be performed in the field of motive powerengineering are so diverse, it is important for particularly variablesystems to be designed. On the one hand it should be possible to employmotors, in particular electric motors, of various types of construction;on the other hand, these electric motors should be able to driveapparatus of widely differing kinds, for example all sorts of gearingswith corresponding (varied) driving pinions. Even when both the motorsand the gearings are provided by a single manufacturer, so that there isno substantial problem with respect to fitting the parts together, theeffort and expense of manufacturing and stocking the parts arenevertheless considerable. This is quite apparent from the laws ofcombinatorics, in view of the fact that different motors with differentways of being installed or mounted must be adapted to to gearings (orthe reverse) that in turn have a variety of relevant dimensions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to disclose an adapter system to connecta main shaft of an (electric) motor to a device to be driven, inparticular to a pinion of a gearing, which by simple means ensures agreater variability of combinations together with high operatingreliability.

This object is achieved by an adapter system in accordance with thepresent invention.

It is an essential point of the invention that a system is created bymeans of which it is possible to compensate for the “imprecisions”encountered when different systems (motor/gearing) are put together.

In the case of the adapter system to connect a main shaft of an(electric) motor to a device to be driven, in particular to a pinion ofa gearing, in accordance with the invention this is brought about byproviding an adapter shaft with a pinion attachment at a first end tomake rotationally stable connection with the pinion, a housing withmeans for supporting the adapter shaft with a first flange to be fixedto the gearing and with a second flange to be fixed to the motor suchthat the motor is substantially firmly connected to the gearing by wayof the housing, a coupling element that is connected to the motor shaftin a rotationally stable manner and a first driving means on thecoupling element and a second driving means on the second end of theadapter shaft, shaped to correspond to the first driving means andengaged therewith so as to transmit torque between the coupling elementand the adapter shaft, the first and the second driving means being soconstructed that they can move relative to one another at least in adirection perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the adapter shaft andat an angle to the axis of rotation.

Preferably the first and the second driving means are in addition soconstructed as to be movable relative to one another in a directionparallel to the axis of rotation of the adapter shaft, with the resultthat the range of possible variations in adapting motors and gearings ofdifferent dimensions is further increased.

The adapter shaft is preferably mounted in the housing in a staticallydetermined manner, which can be achieved in particular by providing twobearings spaced apart along the axis of rotation, preferably rollerbearings disposed in the housing. As a result, there is no longer anyneed to provide in the gearing an additional bearing of the adaptershaft with pinion attached thereto. It is further possible to place onthe shaft something other than the pinion, for example a pulley, so thatinstead of a spur gear, a belt drive train can be used as the device tobe driven.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the first driving meanscomprises at least one notch with parallel walls, disposed symmetricallywith respect to a plane passing substantially through the axis ofrotation, in which case the second driving means comprises at least oneprojection, which can be inserted into the at least one notch. Thisembodiment of the invention is relatively easy to manufacture andnevertheless effective.

The at least one projection in this arrangement is made thinner than theat least one notch, to ensure a certain amount of play in the directionof rotation between the notch walls and the at least one projection, sothat not only an axial offset but also an “angular error” can becompensated.

Preferably a separator is provided to be inserted between at least oneof the notch walls and the at least one projection, in particular aseparator such as to prevent direct contact between the projection andthe notch walls (preferably in both directions).

In order both to reduce frictional wear and also to ensure that there isno play when the direction of the torque to be transmitted is reversed,the separator is preferably made elastically deformable and manufacturedwith dimensions such that it exerts a tensile force upon the at leastone projection in the at least one notch. As a result, even when thedirection of the load changes—as indicated above—impacts are avoided andthe torque is transmitted without jolts. In addition, the separator isformed of a material suitable to reduce the friction between the notchwalls and the at least one projection, which further reduces thesusceptibility of the system to wear and tear.

Preferably the first flange is attached to a first half of the housingand the second flange, to a second half of the housing, the twohalf-housings being detachably joined to one another, in particular bythreaded bolts. This measure makes the adapter system very easy toinstall.

It is especially preferred in this embodiment that a plurality of firstand second half-housings is provided, in particular with first flangesthat are different from one another as well as second flanges that aredifferent from one another, to be connected to motors that are differentfrom one another and/or to driven devices that are different from oneanother. These differing forms of each half-housing can then be combinedwith one another as desired, at least group-wise. This means that whenthree different kinds of device are to be driven, to which correspondthree different first flanges, by three different motors, to whichcorrespond three different second flanges, altogether only three firsthalf-housings and three second half-housings are needed in order tocreate the maximal number of combinations, namely nine.

Preferably the bearing mechanisms for the adapter shaft are provided ina single one of the half-housings. As a result, during manufactureprecise centring can be achieved in an especially simple way. Thestability or stiffness of the bearing is likewise optimal.

Preferably also there is provided a plurality of adapter shafts to makeconnection with pinions that differ from one another, and a plurality ofcoupling elements to make connection with motor shafts that differ fromone another. The variability of the adapter system can thereby beincreased, in particular with respect to the torques of varyingmagnitude that are to be transmitted.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention a torque-transmittingmechanism is provided between the coupling element and the adaptershaft, which permits an at least temporary compensation ofrotation-speed differences between the motor shaft and the device to bedriven. Such a “functional subassembly” further increases thevariability of the adapter system, so that the range of applications isbroadened.

A torque-transmitting mechanism of this kind can consist of a slidingclutch, a fluid flywheel or a flexible coupling (or combinationsthereof), depending on what is required for the intended use of theentire arrangement. Preferably in this case the driving means describedat the outset is replaced by the torque-transmitting mechanism orcoupling. This measure enables the production cost to be reduced.

As an additional supplementary function, in a preferred embodiment ofthe invention there is provided in or on the housing a braking means toslow or arrest the adapter shaft and/or the coupling element in at leastone direction of rotation. This purpose can be served, for example, by areverse-motion blocker or else a brake that operates in both directionsof rotation, e.g. a mechanical, electromagnetically actuatable brake, sothat the range of applications of the systems is extended in a simplemanner.

In another preferred embodiment the housing comprises fixation means onwhich to seat a drive motor designed to stand on a base and/or mountingdevices to fasten the housing to a pedestal or the like. As a result,rather than an “adjunct” the adapter system becomes a functionalcomponent that so to speak forms a structural centre of the wholearrangement to be produced. To incorporate a fixation means of this kindinto gearings is not uncommon. In the present case, however, a gearingwithout such a fixatioin means for example can very easily be providedwith one, so that in some circumstances there is no need to manufacturespecial gearings with fixation means as well as others without suchmeans.

Preferably sealing devices are provided to seal the adapter shaft to thehousing of the adapter system, so that a gearing with adapter systeminstalled is a closed unit. This makes it possible to exchange aninstalled electric motor without leakage of oil and, also in otherrespects, in a particularly simple manner.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the adapter systemfurther comprises a blank flange, which can be connected to the firsthalf-housing and then replaces the second half-housing. In this case theadapter shaft is so constructed that its second end projects out beyondthe blank flange, so that a pulley or other drive component can beplaced on it. The system thus enables an electric motor to be coupled toit by way of a belt train or the like—that is, without a connectingshaft. In this case a sealing means is preferably also provided in theblind flange, to seal the adapter shaft to the blind flange, so that thegearing with blind flange and shaft end projecting therefrom forms aclosed unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be apparent from thesubordinate claims and the following description of exemplaryembodiments with reference to drawings, wherein

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a first embodiment of theinvention,

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of an adapter shaft from FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of a coupling element from FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of the adapter shaft according to FIG. 2from another angle,

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a separator from FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 shows a section through the separator according to FIG. 5 alongthe line VI—VI

FIGS. 7-9 show three different variants of an adapter system to be usedwith different motors and different devices to be driven,

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the invention with a flexiblecoupling,

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the invention with a sliding clutch,

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the invention with a fluid flywheel,

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the invention with anelectromagnetically actuatable mechanical brake and additional fluidflywheel,

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of the invention with a reverse-motionblocker,

FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of the invention to explain a housingwith blank flange,

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of the invention with fixation meansfor the installation of a motor,

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective drawing to explain possiblecombinations enabled by the invention, for use with pinions of a givenbore diameter, and

FIG. 18 is a perspective drawing to explain a larger combination groupof adapter systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, the same reference numerals are used foridentical parts or parts with identical actions.

In the embodiment of the adapter system in accordance with the inventionshown in FIG. 1, an adapter shaft 10 is supported in a housing 20 by wayof two spaced apart roller bearings 21, 22. The housing 20 is composedof a first half-housing 25 and a second half-housing 26, which arerigidly joined to one another by means of connecting bolts 27. Thebearings 21 and 22 are disposed in the first half-housing 25 such thatthe bearing shown on the right in FIG. 1 is held firmly in the firsthalf-housing 25 by the second half-housing 26.

The adapter shaft 10 comprises at its first end a pinion attachment 11,to which a pinion can be attached in a rotationally stable manner, bythe customary keyed joint. The adapter shaft 10 is sealed to the firsthalf-housing 25 by means of a sealing ring 28.

The first half-housing 25 comprises an outward-facing first flange 23;the second half-housing 26 comprises a second flange 24, which faces inthe opposite direction. The flange 25 is so constructed that by way ofit, the housing 20 can be mounted on a device to be driven, inparticular on a gearing. When this flange-mounting has beencompleted—that is, when a pinion (not shown here) has been put in placeand the gearing attached—the gearing is sealed off from the exterior, sothat after the arrangement has been filled with oil through a bore inthe first half-housing 25 and the bore has been closed by a stopper 29,there is no possibility of leakage from the gearing.

The second flange 24 on the second half-housing 26 is so constructedthat an electric motor can be mounted thereon. Onto a motor shaft 9,only roughly indicated here, a coupling element 40 can be placed andfixed in a rotationally stable manner by way of a keyed joint known perse. The coupling element 40 comprises two projections 41, 41′, extendingin the direction of the axis of rotation x but radially displacedtherefrom and diametrically opposed to one another, which can beinserted into notches 12, 12′ that are formed in a second end of theadapter shaft 10 with a direction corresponding to the projections 41,41′. The bore provided in the coupling element 40 by way of which thelatter can be seated on a motor shaft 9 fits closely to the motor shaft,whereas in the second end of the adapter shaft a bore of larger diameteris provided, so that the part of the motor shaft 9 that extends beyondthe coupling element 40 can be disposed so as to project into theadapter shaft 10.

The notches 12, 12′ are sufficiently wide that the projections 41, 41′can be inserted into them with some clearance. This clearance is largeenough for separators 50, one of which is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, to beplaced between the projections 41, 41′ and the adjacent notch walls 13,13′ or 13″, 13′″ (see FIGS. 2-4). Each separator 50 comprises acircumferential wall 51 and two sections 52, 52′ that project inwardtherefrom, as well as a back wall 53 in the shape of a section of anannulus. The circumferential wall 51 and the sections 52, 52′ are soshaped that the separator 50 can be set onto the second end of theadapter shaft 10 in a form-fitting manner, so that one wall of each ofthe sections 52, 52′ is apposed to one of the notch walls 13, 13″ or 13′and 13′″, while the back wall 53 can abut against an end face 15 of thesecond end of the shaft 9.

Two of the cap-shaped separators 50 are set onto the second end of theadapter shaft 10; the construction of the separator 50 as a pair ofindependent pieces offers the advantage that only the thickness of thewalls of the inwards projecting sections 52, 52′ must be matched to thegap between the projections 41, 41′ and the notch walls 13, 13″ or 13′,13′″, which simplifies manufacture. By contrast, in an alternativeembodiment of the separator 50 shown in FIG. 1, which comprises asingle, annular piece, the distances between the radially inwardprojecting sections 52, 52′ (in this case, four such sections areprovided) must also correspond to the distances between the notch walls13—13′″ of the notches 12, 12′, which are milled with high precision.

In the adapter system in accordance with the invention, as discussedabove, a plurality of different half-housings 25, 26 with various firstand second flanges 23, 24 and various adapter shafts 10 are provided. Anexample of this is shown in FIGS. 7 to 9.

As can be seen in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, in all three embodiments adapterflanges 23 are provided on the first half-housings 25 which have thesame dimensions for mounting (on a gearing). The three embodimentsdiffer with respect to the pinion attachments 11 of the adapter shafts10, onto which various pinions can be placed, the bore diameters ofwhich are matched to the crown-gear root diameter, so that the adaptercan be attached to the same gear housing but connected to gearings thatdiffer from one another in their transmission ratios.

The second flanges 24 on the second half-housings 26 also differ in thethree embodiments, as do the coupling elements 40 and the shafts 9 ofthe electric motors mounted on the flanges. In the exemplary embodimentsaccording to FIGS. 7 to 9, motors of different power categories withcorrespondingly different shaft diameters are attached to gearings, eachof which is enclosed in the same kind of housing but has a differentpinion diameter.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 10, there is attachedto the first half-housing 25 — within which, as explained above, theadapter shaft 10 is supported in a statically determined manner by wayof the bearings 21 and 22 — a second half-housing 26, fixed by way ofthe threaded bolt 27, in which a flexible coupling 70 known per se ismounted to serve as coupling element 40. This embodiment of theinvention is provided in particular to be used for the flange-mountingof servomotors, which are known to ensure very high angularaccelerations and are intended to control extremely precise movementsequences.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 11 differs from thataccording to FIG. 10 in that as coupling element 40 there is provided asliding clutch 60, in which a disk 61 is rotatably mounted on thecoupling element 40 and is connected to the adapter shaft 10 by adriving pin 62 in such a way that its rotation is transmitted. At itsend surfaces the disk 61 is clamped between annular friction disks 63,63′, of which the disk 63, which faces the adapter shaft 10, abutsagainst a projection 64 extending radially outward from the couplingelement 40, whereas the opposite friction disk 63′ is pressed towardsthe adapter shaft 10 by a pair of spring washers 64′. With thisarrangement, when the torque transmitted between the coupling element 40and the adapter shaft 10 exceeds the frictional force between thefriction disks 63, 63′ and the disk 61, slippage occurs between thecoupling element 40 and the adapter shaft 10. In another embodiment ofthe invention, not shown here, in the second half-housing 26 there areprovided sensors for the mechanical detection of slippage.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 12 differs from thataccording to FIG. 11 in that instead of the sliding clutch 60 justdescribed, the second half-housing 26 contains a fluid flywheel 65,which forms the second coupling element 40. Furthermore, in this casethe second half-housing 26 is constructed in two parts, whichconsiderably reduces the cost of manufacture and assembly. In addition,the adapter shaft 10 is sealed to the second half-housing 26 adjacent toits bearing therein. The fluid flywheel shown here is known per se.

The further embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 13 differs fromthat according to FIG. 12 in that the second half-housing 26 attached tothe first half-housing 25 is composed of three pieces altogether. Thepart of the second half-housing 26 that is furthest away from the pinionattachment 11 of the adapter shaft 10, and which contains the couplingelement 40, again encloses a fluid flywheel 65 and is constructed likethe second part of the second half-housing 26 of the embodimentaccording to FIG. 12. The first part of the second half-housing 26,which is connected to the first half-housing 25 by means of theconnecting bolt 27, corresponds in its structure to the first part ofthe second half-housing 26 of the embodiment according to FIG. 12.

Between this first and the third part of the second half-housing 26 inthe embodiment according to FIG. 13, in a specially constructed middlehousing section, there is provided an electromagnetically actuatablemechanical brake 80 which is known per se. This electromagneticallyactuatable mechanical brake 80 is mounted in such a way that it can slowdown or arrest the movement of the adapter shaft 10 (with respect to thehousing 20).

The embodiment according to FIG. 13 further differs from that accordingto FIG. 12 with respect to the mounting of the adapter shaft 10: whereasits first bearing 21 is positioned in the first half-housing 25 as inthe previously discussed embodiments, its second bearing 22 is heresituated in the middle section of the second half-housing, the shafthaving been made suitably longer. This measure ensures that on the onehand a statically determined mounting is produced, while on the otherhand the second bearing 22 is seated as close as possible to the fluidflywheel 65, the electromagnetically actuatable mechanical brake 80being disposed between the bearings 21 and 22.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 14 differs from thosepreviously presented inasmuch as the second half-housing attached to thefirst half-housing 25 is constructed as a (simple) blank flange 26through which the second end of the adapter shaft 10, i.e. the end awayfrom the pinion attachment 11, passes by way of a sealing ring 28′ so asto project outward. This second end 14 of the adapter shaft 10 is hereso constructed that a pulley or the like can be keyed onto it. Anadapter mechanism of this kind flange-mounted to a gear system by way ofthe first flange 23 on the first half-housing 25 is thus connected to anelectric motor not by way of a shaft but by another drive train (beltdrive, chain drive or similar couplings).

In addition, in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 14 thereis provided between the bearings 21 and 22 in the first half-housing 25a reverse-motion brake 75, which permits the adapter shaft 10 to rotatein only one direction with respect to the housing 20. Reverse-motionbrakes of this kind are known per se and will not be described furtherhere. It is of course also possible to provide a reverse-motion brake 75of this kind in an embodiment of the invention such as has beendescribed, for example, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. Furthermore, itis of course possible not to incorporate the reverse-motion brake 75 inthe present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 16 differs from thataccording to FIG. 15 substantially in that there is attached to thefirst half-housing 25 a fixation means 85 onto which a drive motordesigned to stand on a base can be mounted, which then can be broughtinto rotationally stable connection with the adapter shaft 10, forinstance by way of a belt drive.

To explain the system as a whole, in FIG. 17 three different firsthalf-housings 25 are shown, each of which comprises a different firstflange 23 for the purpose of flange-mounting on gearings with varioushousings. The second half-housings 26 indicated in FIG. 17, which are tobe attached to the first half-housings 25, likewise differ in the shapeof their second flanges 24 or are constructed as a blank flange 26′.

The adapter shafts 10 shown in FIG. 17 are all equipped at their firstends with the same kind of pinion attachments 11, onto which pinions ofidentical bore diameter can be set. The second ends of the adaptershafts 10 are of various constructions: the one at the top of FIG. 17has a projecting end as in the embodiment according to FIG. 15; in themiddle in FIG. 17 is a second end corresponding to the embodiment shownin FIG. 1; and at the bottom in FIG. 17 is a second end to which asliding clutch 60 is to be attached. The other individual components,already described above, can be identified by their reference numeralsin FIG. 17.

In FIG. 18 three groups of the system subgroup according to FIG. 17 areshown. From their (relative) dimensions and the labels in the figure,the variety of combinations possible with respect to the first flangecan be seen. It should be pointed out that this drawing by no meansshows the complete range of combinations available with the presentsystem, but merely exemplifies what can be done with part of the wholesystem, the individual components of which have been described above.

List of Reference Numerals

9 Shaft

10 Adapter shaft

11 Pinion attachment

12 First notch

12′ Second notch

13, 13′

13″,13′″ Notch wall

14 Second end

15 End face

20 Housing

21 First bearing

22 Second bearing

23 First flange

24 Second flange

25 First half-housing

26 Second half-housing

26′ Blind flange

27 Connecting bolt

28, 28′ Sealing ring

29 Stopper

40 Coupling element

41 First projection

41′ Second projection

50 Separator

51 Circumferential wall

52, 52′ Section of separator

53 Back wall

60 Sliding clutch

61 Disk

62 Driving pin

63, 63′ Friction disk

64 Projection

64′ Spring washer

65 Fluid flywheel

70 Flexible coupling

75 Reverse-motion brake

80 Electromagnetically actuatable mechanical brake

85 Fixation means

What is claimed is:
 1. Adapter system to connect a main motor shaft (9)of a drive motor to a device to be driven, in particular to a pinion ofa gearing, comprising: an adapter shaft (10) with a pinion attachment(11) at a first end for rotationally stable connection to the pinion; ahousing (20) with devices (21, 22) to serve as bearings for the adaptershaft (10) as well as with a first flange (23) for mounting on thegearing and with a second flange (24) for attachment to the motor, suchthat the motor is substantially firmly fixed to the gearing by way ofthe housing (20); a coupling element (40) that can be connected in arotationally stable manner to the motor shaft (9); a first driving means(41, 41′) on the coupling element (40) and a second driving means (12,12′) on the second end of the adapter shaft (10) tha t is shaped tocorrespond to the first driving means (41, 41′) and engages therewith inorder to transmit torque between the coupling element (40) and theadapter shaft (10); wherein the first and the second driving means (41,41′, 12, 12′) are so constructed as to be movable relative to oneanother at least in a direction (y) perpendicular to an axis of rotation(x) of the adapter shaft (10) and at an angle to the axis of rotation(x); and the first driving means comprises at least one notch (12, 12′)with notch walls (13, 13′), which are disposed symmetrically withrespect to a plane passing substantially through the axis of rotation(x) and the second driving means comprises at least one projection (41,41′) that can be inserted into the at least one notch (12, 12′). 2.Adapter system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first andthe second driving means (41, 41′, 12, 12′) are so constructed that theycan be shifted relative to one another in a direction parallel to theaxis of rotation (x) of the adapter shaft.
 3. Adapter system accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the adapter shaft (10) is mounted inthe housing (20) in a statically determined manner.
 4. Adapter systemaccording to claim 3, characterized in that the adapter shaft (10) ismounted by way of two bearings (21, 22) spaced apart in the direction ofthe axis of rotation (x), preferably by way of roller bearings. 5.Adapter system according to claim 1, characterized in that the at leastone projection (41, 41′) is thinner than the at least one notch (12,12′) to ensure that there is some clearance in the direction of rotationbetween the groove walls (13, 13′) and the at least one projection (41,41′).
 6. Adapter system according to claim 5, characterized by aseparator (50) to be inserted between at least one of the notch walls(13, 13′) and the at least one projection (41, 41′).
 7. Adapter systemaccording to claim 6, characterized in that the separator (50) iselastically deformable and has dimensions such that it produces aforce-fitting of the at least one projection (41, 41′) within the atleast one notch (12, 12′).
 8. Adapter system according to claim 6,characterized in that the separator (50) is constructed of a materialsuitable for reducing the friction between the notch walls (13, 13′) andthe at least one projection (41, 41′).
 9. Adapter system according toclaim 1, characterized in that the first flange (23) is disposed on afirst half-housing (25) and the second flange (24) is disposed on asecond half-housing (26) and that the two halves of the housing (25, 26)are detachably connected to one another.
 10. Adapter system according toclaim 9, characterized in that a plurality of first and secondhalf-housings (25, 26) with first flanges (23) that differ from oneanother and second flanges (24) that differ from one another areprovided for attachment to at least one of devices to be driven thatdiffer from one another and to motors that differ from one another. 11.Adapter system according to claim 9, characterized in that the devices(21, 22) to serve as bearings for the adapter shaft are provided in oneof the half-housings (25, 26).
 12. Adapter system according to claim 9,characterized by a blank flange (26′) that can be connected to the firsthalf-housing (25) so as to replace the second half-housing (26), suchthat the second end (14) of the adapter shaft (10) projects outward fromthe blank flange so that a pulley or similar driving component can beplaced upon it.
 13. Adapter system according to claim 12, characterizedby a sealing device (28′) to provide a leakproof seal between theadapter shaft (10) and the blank flange (26′).
 14. Adapter systemaccording to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of adaptershafts (10) is provided for connection to pinions that differ from oneanother and a plurality of coupling elements (40) is provided forconnection to motor shafts that differ from one another.
 15. Adaptersystem according to claim 1, characterized by a blocking device (75, 80)disposed with respect to the housing (20) to prevent rotation of one ofthe adapter shaft and the coupling element (40) in at least onedirection.
 16. Adapter system according to claim 1, characterized bysealing devices (28) to provide a leakproof seal between the adaptershaft (10) and the housing (20).
 17. Adapter system to connect a mainmotor shaft (9) of a drive motor to a device to be driven, in particularto a pinion of a gearing, comprising: an adapter shaft (10) with apinion attachment (11) at a first end for rotationally stable connectionto the pinion; a housing (20) with devices (21, 22) to serve as bearingsfor the adapter shaft (10) as well as with a first flange (23) formounting on the gearing and with a second flange (24) for attachment tothe motor, such that the motor is substantially firmly fixed to thegearing by way of the housing (20); a coupling element (40) that can beconnected in a rotationally stable manner to the motor shaft (9); afirst driving means (41, 41′) on the coupling element (40) and a seconddriving means (12, 12′) on the second end of the adapter shaft (10) thatis shaped to correspond to the first driving means (41, 41′) and engagestherewith in order to transmit torque between the coupling element (40)and the adapter shaft (10); wherein the first and the second drivingmeans (41, 41′, 12, 12′) are so constructed as to be movable relative toone another at least in a direction (y) perpendicular to an axis ofrotation (x) of the adapter shaft (10) and at an angle to the axis ofrotation (x); and a torque-transmission mechanism (60, 65, 70) betweenthe coupling element (40) and the adapter shaft (10) for temporarycompensation of any differences in rotation speed between the motorshaft and the device to be driven.
 18. Adapter system according to claim17, characterized in that the torque-transmission mechanism comprisesone of a sliding clutch (60), a fluid flywheel (65), or a flexiblecoupling (70).
 19. Adapter system according to claim 17, characterizedin that the driving means (41, 41′) are formed in thetorque-transmission mechanism (60, 65, 70).
 20. Adapter system toconnect a main motor shaft (9) of of a drive moter to a device to bedriven, in particular to a pinion of a gearing, comprising: an adaptershaft (10) with a first end and an opposite second end (14), including apinion attachment (11) at the first end for rotationally stableconnection to the pinion; a housing (20) with bearings (21, 22) for theadapter shaft (10) as well as with a first flange (23) for mounting onthe gearing and with a second flange (26′) for supporting the second end(14), such that the second end (14) extends outwardly beyond the secondflange (26′); a coupling element (40) that can be connected in arotationally stable manner to the motor shaft (9); a first driving means(41, 41′) on the coupling element (40) and a second driving means (12,12′) on the second end of the adapter shaft (10) that is shaped tocorrespond to the first driving means (41, 41′) and engages therewith inorder to transmit torque between the coupling element (40) and theadapter shaft (10); wherein the first and the second driving means (41,41′, 12, 12′) are so constructed as to be movable relative to oneanother at least in a direction (y) perpendicular to an axis of rotation(x) of the adapter shaft (10) and at an angle to the axis of rotation(x); and the housing (20) comprises fixation means (85) on which tomount the drive motor by way of its base or mounting means by which toattach the housing (20) to a pedestal.
 21. Adapter system to connect amain motor shaft (9) of a drive motor to a device to be driven, inparticular to a pinion of a gearing, comprising: an adapter shaft (10)with a pinion attachment (11) at a first end for rotationally stableconnection to the pinion; a housing (20) with devices (21, 22) to serveas bearings for the adapter shaft (10) as well as with a first flange(23) for mounting on the gearing and with a second flange (24) forattachment to the motor, such that the motor is substantially firmlyfixed to the gearing by way of the housing (20); a coupling element (40)that can be connected in a rotationally stable manner to the motor shaft(9); a first driving means (41, 41′) on the coupling element (40) and asecond driving means (12, 12′) on the second end of the adapter shaft(10) that is shaped to correspond to the first driving means (41, 41′)and engages therewith in order to transmit torque between the couplingelement (40) and the adapter shaft (10); wherein the first and thesecond driving means (41, 41′, 12, 12′) are so constructed as to bemovable relative to one another at least in a direction (y)perpendicular to an axis of rotation (x) of the adapter shaft (10) andat an angle to the axis of rotation (x); and the first flange (23) isdisposed on a first half-housing (25) and the second flange (24) isdisposed on a second half-housing (26) and the two halves of the housing(25, 26) are detachably connected to one another; a plurality of firstand second half-housings (25, 26) with first flanges (23) that differfrom one another and second flanges (24) that differ from one anotherfor attachment to at least one of devices to be driven that differ fromone another and to motors that differ from one another; and the devices(21, 22) to serve as bearings for the adapter shaft are provided in oneof the half-housings (25, 26).
 22. Adapter system according to claim 21,characterized in that the first and the second driving means (41, 41′,12, 12′) are so constructed that they can be shifted relative to oneanother in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation (x) of theadapter shaft.
 23. Adapter system according to claim 21, characterizedin that the adapter shaft (10) is mounted in the housing (20) in astatically determined manner.
 24. Adapter system according to claim 23,characterized in that the adapter shaft (10) is mounted by way of twobearings (21, 22) spaced apart in the direction of the axis of rotation(x), preferably by way of roller bearings.
 25. Adapter system accordingto claim 21, characterized in that the first driving means comprises atleast one notch (12, 12′) with notch walls (13, 13′), which are disposedsymmetrically with respect to a plane passing substantially through theaxis of rotation (x) and that the second driving means comprises atleast one projection (41, 41′) that can be inserted into the at leastone notch (12, 12′).
 26. Adapter system according to claim, 25characterized in that the at least one projection (41, 41′) is thinnerthan the at least one notch (12, 12′) to ensure that there is someclearance in the direction of rotation between the groove walls (13,13′) and the at least one projection (41, 41′).
 27. Adapter systemaccording to claim 26, characterized by a separator (50) to be insertedbetween at least one of the notch walls (13, 13′) and the at least oneprojection (41, 41′).
 28. Adapter system according to claim 27,characterized in that the separator (50) is elastically deformable andhas dimensions such that it produces a force-fitting of the at least oneprojection (41, 41′) within the at least one notch (12, 12′). 29.Adapter system according to claim 27, characterized in that theseparator (50) is constructed of a material suitable for reducing thefriction between the notch walls (13, 13′) and the at least oneprojection (41, 41′).
 30. Adapter system according to claim 21,characterized in that a plurality of adapter shafts (10) is provided forconnection to pinions that differ from one another and a plurality ofcoupling elements (40) is provided for connection to motor shafts thatdiffer from one another.
 31. Adapter system according to claim 21,characterized by a torque-transmission mechanism (60, 65, 70) betweenthe coupling element (40) and the adapter shaft (10) for temporarycompensation of any differences in rotation speed between the motorshaft and the device to be driven.
 32. Adapter system according to claim31, characterized in that the driving means (41, 41′) are formed in thetorque-transmission mechanism (60, 65, 70).
 33. Adapter system accordingto claim 31, characterized in that the torque-transmission mechanismcomprises one of a sliding clutch (60), a fluid flywheel (65), or aflexible coupling (70).
 34. Adapter system according to claim 21,characterized by a blocking device (75, 80) disposed with respect to thehousing (20) to prevent rotation of one of the adapter shaft and thecoupling element (40) in at least one direction.
 35. Adapter systemaccording to claim 21, characterized in that the housing (20) comprisesfixation means (85) on which to mount the drive motor.
 36. Adaptersystem according to claim 21, characterized by sealing devices (28) toprovide a leakproof seal between the adapter shaft (10) and the housing(20).
 37. Adapter system according to claim 21, characterized by a blankflange (26′) that can be connected to the first half-housing (25), suchthat the second end (14) of the adapter shaft (10) projects outward fromthe blank flange so that a pulley or similar driving component can beplaced upon it.
 38. Adapter system according to claim 37, characterizedby a sealing device (28′) to provide a leakproof seal between theadapter shaft (10) and the flange (26′).